Newton wrestling falls to Dallas Center-Grimes

Thursday night, the Newton Wrestling team lost a close dual at home against Dallas Center-Grimes, 36-30. Despite strong showings from Jacob Williams (220 pounds) and the usual dominating pin by senior Derrick Hurt (285), the Cardinals were unable to secure a victory despite getting up 27-18 following a decision by Tanner Hull (120).

This was the first home dual for Newton since back in December, when it faced off against Pella and Perry. Frustration set in afterward for coach Bill Reed, who was pleased with some things he saw on the mat but was disappointed overall as his boys were unable to secure a victory.

“Joey Wright at 182 had a nice win for us gutting it out, Jacob Williams at 220 gets a real nice win. Derrick Hurt goes out and gets a pin and at that point in time it looked like the meet was going to go really well and things were going to fall into place.” Reed said. “We didn’t get enough bonus points in some of those close matches. They did a good job of not giving up extra points.”

The dual started with two pins by DCG to put them ahead of Newton 12-0. Joey Wright won a decision that started a 24-point rally from the Cardinals to put them up 24-12. DCG fought back with pins by Trevor Murano and Zach Ross.

Then in the closest contest of the night, DCG’s Nick Brushaber's six points to Brett Wolf’s five got the Mustangs the decision and tied the dual up at 30-30. The next two matches, decisions by DCG, secured the victory.

Williams in particular had a very back and forth exchange with DCG’s Devin Ginn, but came away with the decision at a tally of 8-3. A pin by Derrick Hurt followed shortly after that decision to give Newton an 18-12 edge.

On senior night, the heavyweight Hurt put in his typical performance. The all-conference wrestler for Newton overpowered DCG's Bryce Schutt with pin in the early going.

“Derrick has really improved the last two years on varsity. This year especially where he really goes out and has a plan laid out as opposed to try to catch somebody.” Reed said. “He’s going out to try to really win matches and he had a really good January to set him up for a conference championship and hopefully a state qualifying berth.”

Reed credited the team’s lack of experience as the main issue in the meet. Despite Newton perhaps having an edge on talent, their lack of experience in picking up bonus points in matches likely cost them the dual.

“We’re still learning. We’re still growing.” Reed said. “When you’ve got freshmen and sophomores out there wrestling their first season in varsity it doesn’t always go the way you want it to. The guys will come back hard tomorrow and we’ll be ready for the conference meet.”

That big Little Hawkeye Conference meet for the Cardinals takes place at Grinnell on Saturday.